Cypress photographers, painters recognized at OC Fair

Crystal Worley's portrait “Andrew” took second place in the color photography portrait contest. COURTESY OF CRYSTAL WORLEY

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Crystal Worley's photography portrait “Army Man” received an honorable mention at the OC Fair this year. This is the Cypress College photography student's second year entering the competition. COURTESY OF CRYSTAL WORLEY

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Crystal Worley received an honorable mention for her portrait “Man of Honor” at the OC Fair. This is the Cypress College photography student's second year entering her work at the event. COURTESY OF CRYSTAL WORLEY

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Patti Yunker, a Cypress Art League member, won a theme award for her watercolor painting at the OC Fair. COURTESY OF PATTI YUNKER

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Cypress resident Hedi Roethel stands next to her OC Fair watercolor painting entry “Braces off.” She's been entering her work at the OC Fair for the past 10 years. COURTESY OF HEDI ROETHEL

P hotography students from Cypress College and painters from the Cypress Art League made a strong showing at the OC Fair this year.

Cypress College students Cristina Gutierrez and Crystal Worley took first and second place, respectively, in the color portrait photo category. Both have been behind the lens of a camera for most of their lives.

“Generally what I do is submit portraits,” Gutierrez, 39, of Cypress, said. “It’s what I am best at and it’s what makes me happy.”

Gutierrez has been entering her work at the OC Fair for the past three years. Her first-place photo, “a boy and his balloon,” depicts a young Hispanic child holding a balloon at a Para Los Ninos charity event in Los Angeles.

Worley, 49, of Cypress, took second in the portrait competition with her piece “Andrew.” This is her second year entering the OC Fair competitions. Last year, Worley won a first-place award in the black and white photo division.

Pat Edep of the Cypress Art League said three members entered the competition.

Patti Yunker, a Cypress Art League member from Anaheim, was happy to take home an award for her OC Fair-themed watercolor painting. Yunker has been entering her work in the competition for the past 25 years.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Yunker, 57, said. “(I enter) mainly just because it’s just fun and I like to have something to look forward to.”

Hedi Roethel, a Cypress resident and member of the art league, entered a watercolor portrait of her grandson, Brendon, titled “Braces off.” Unfortunately, she didn’t take home any accolades.

“I was quite disappointed,” Roethel said. “Last year I won four.”

But entering her work in the annual competitions is more about exposure than awards.

“It’s a really nice way to have something out there without trying to go to a gallery,” Roethel said.

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